Health Issues for Gay and Bisexual men, and Men Who Have Sex With Men

There are a number of sexual health, mental health and generic health issues that affect Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with men (i.e. those men that have sexual relations with other men but who do not identify as Gay or Bisexual).



Sexual Health


In recent years, the number of heterosexual men infected with HIV in Britain has increased. However, there remains a high prevalence (total number of infections) and a high incidence (new infections) of HIV acquired sexually between men. HIV is therefore still an issue of major concern for Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with men. There is also a high prevalence and a high incidence of other sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, amongst these men.



Mental Health


As a result of homophobia (prejudice and discrimination against Gay men), heterosexism (assuming that everyone is heterosexual and that being heterosexual is superior to being Gay), and internalised homophobia (where Gay men believe that being Gay is wrong), Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with, can often experience a number of mental health problems. Research suggested that young Gay men in particular suffer from higher levels of depression, self-harm and suicide (attempted and actual suicides).



Generic Health


Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with men, experience a whole range of other health issues and problems, as with all men. These include alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, smoking-related illnesses and testicular cancer. However, Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with men, often experience barriers to accessing generic health services and may not get the services they require.



Health Equality


In the last couple of years, there have been a number of significant legislative advances for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual communities. These include an equal age of consent for Gay men, the repeal of Section 28, legislation outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the workplace, and new civil partnership rights for Gay and Lesbian couples. Lesbian and Gay equality is thus firmly on the agenda, and these advances will undoubtedly have an impact on the sexual, mental and generic health of Gay and Bisexual men, and men who have sex with men.